CCSF Named Large Scholarship Provider of the Year by NSPA

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation (CCSF) is celebrating a proud milestone – being named the 2025 Large Scholarship Provider of the Year by the National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA).

This recognition was announced as part of the NSPA Awards of Excellence, which honor organizations and individuals making a significant impact on student success and the scholarship industry.

About the Award

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the National Scholarship Providers Association cultivates and empowers the scholarship community with the knowledge, skills, and resources to strengthen the impact of scholarships.

The Scholarship Provider of the Year honor highlights organizations that use their unique resources to expand college access, foster student achievement, inspire innovation, and strengthen communities. The Large Scholarship Provider category recognizes those awarding $500,000 or more in scholarships annually. With more than $3 million awarded each year, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation was honored among many dedicated scholarship organizations across the country.

Fellow 2025 Awardees

Alongside the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, the NSPA celebrated:

• Small Scholarship Provider of the Year: Spectrum Scholars

• Ann Radcliffe Award: Lindie Gardner, WWIN (Washington Women in Need)

• NSPA Fellows Award: Karla Gonzalez, Pima Community College

A Legacy of Leaders

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation was created on May 8, 1986, in honor of Coca-Cola’s 100th birthday. Individual Coca-Cola bottlers across the United States partnered with The Coca-Cola Company to invest in the communities they served through scholarships. Nearly 4 decades later, the Foundation has provided more than $87 million in scholarships to over 7,050 students leading positive change.

Each year, CCSF awards 150 high school seniors who demonstrate excellence in leadership, service, and academics $20,000 scholarships to the college of their choice. The new Coke Scholars attend Scholars Weekend in Atlanta, where they are honored at the annual Coca-Cola Scholars Banquet and participate in the Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Development Institute facilitated by program alumni. 

In addition to awarding scholarships, the Foundation stays in touch with their Scholars. Through unique lifelong learning opportunities – like a first‑year coaching program with more than 100 trained alumni coaches, virtual professional development classes, and Leadership Summits – CCSF aims to provide support, encouragement, and connections within the Coke Scholars community that help Scholars lead with purpose. In a recent survey, 97% of Scholars said CCSF programs have made them better leaders and increased their involvement in their communities, and nearly 6 in 10 said the Coke Scholars network is more beneficial than any other.

“The Foundation [CCSF] creates a multiplier effect by empowering individual scholars who go on to inspire broader societal change. In a time when scholarships must do more than fund tuition, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation redefines what it means to support and grow future leaders. Its comprehensive, community-centered approach exemplifies the highest ideals of the National Scholarship Providers Association.” – Dr. Larry Sparkman, Director of the Luckyday Scholars Program at The University of Southern Mississippi

Nearly 40 Years of Impact

Receiving the Large Scholarship Provider of the Year award reflects the collective efforts of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation’s Board of Directors, staff, Alumni Board, Coke Scholars, volunteers, sponsors, and the continued support from The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola bottlers across the US.

Since the Foundation was created in 1986, this community has worked hand-in-hand to celebrate and uplift over 7,050 outstanding students who are committed to making a difference in the world and cultivate an incredible community of visionary leaders. These Scholars have gone on to serve, lead, and create positive, meaningful change both in their communities and far beyond.

“As a founding member of NSPA, this recognition is such a proud and special moment for us. It’s the perfect way to kick off our 40th anniversary – celebrating not just what we’ve accomplished, but the community that made it possible. Our Scholars, alumni, and partners in the Coca-Cola system are the heart of this work, and together we’ve built something lasting and meaningful. We’re excited to honor our impact and look ahead to even more opportunities to help visionary leaders refresh the world.” – Jane Hale Paulsen, CCSF President

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is deeply honored to receive this national recognition from NSPA. As they celebrate this achievement, the Foundation remains committed to empowering future generations of leaders by opening doors, creating opportunities, and continuing to inspire a ripple effect of positive change for years to come.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. With its 37th class of Coca-Cola Scholars, the Foundation has provided more than $87 million in scholarships to over 7,050 program alumni who together have become a powerful force for positive change.